Method and system using return labels with dynamically generated multiple datapoint coding

Abstract

A method of providing returnable customer items, originally purchased from a merchant. The merchant provides the customer with a special returns label that permits the customer to drop the return package with a carrier without paying shipping charges to the carrier. The label includes an integrated machine readable code, which permits a returns center to easily assess shipping charges and perform other services related to the return.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method, performed by a returns provider, of enabling a customer to ship a package containing one or more items previously acquired from a merchant during a unique transaction, comprising the step of: 
 providing the customer with a return label to be placed on the package, the label containing a shipping destination of the package and integrated machine readable data representing at least a shipping origin of the package and identification of the transaction.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the returns provider is the merchant.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the returns provider is a service provider to the merchant.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the return label conforms to the USPS merchandise return service specifications.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the providing step is performed by enclosing the return label with items shipped to the customer.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the return label is attached to an invoice for the item.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the providing step is performed by the customer downloading data from the Internet for printing the label.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the shipping origin of the package is represented by the customer's postal code.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the machine readable data is barcode data.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the machine readable data is radio frequency identification data.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the return label further has a human readable code representing merchant-specific data.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the shipping destination is to a carrier center near the returns provider.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the returns provider maintains multiple returns destinations, and wherein the shipping destination is to a location closest to the customer.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the purchase identification data is an invoice number.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the machine readable data further represents merchant-specific data.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the machine readable data further represents customer specific data.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the machine readable data further represents product specific data.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the machine readable data further represents trading partner data.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the machine readable data further represents disposition data.  
     
     
         20 . A method of enabling a customer to ship a package containing one or more items previously purchased from a merchant during a unique purchase transaction, comprising the steps of: 
 providing the customer with a return label to be placed on the package, the label containing a shipping destination of the package and integrated machine readable data representing at least a shipping origin of the package and identification of the purchase transaction; and    notifying the customer that, by using the return label, returns are pre-authorized and that carrier costs are due subsequent to the initiation of the return.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the notifying step is performed at least in part by visual indicia on the return label.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the step of using the machine readable data to assess shipping charges.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the step of using the machine readable data to communicate information about the return to the merchant.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the step using the machine readable data to communicate information about the return to the customer.